Paladin is forced to kill Jimmy Dawes, wanted for murder. When he takes him back to his home town, the townspeople, the sheriff and the boy's brothers give him a hostile welcome.

Retired and wealthy General Crommer is dying. He asks Padadin, who holds an old grudge against him, to do him a favor. He asks him to take a message of forgiveness to another man who hates Crommer. A favor which might get Paladin killed.

An old friend of Paladin is shot and killed in Paladin's hotel room. After returning the body for burial, Paladin sets out to find the killer.